Senckenberg research focusses on the dynamic system Earth. With an integrative approach, we conduct “geobiodiversity research”: Senckenberg scientists study the role that the diversity of life - biodiversity - plays in the Earth system. We unravel the interconnections of life forms with the other parts of the Earth system: the atmosphere, water, ice, soil, rock and – last not least – mankind. Because we need to understand the Earth system in order to maintain its function as the very basis of man’s existence.Senckenberg scientists research the present and the past - and eventually generate future projections. The Senckenberg research institutes provide excellent preconditions for this approach: The most modern infrastructure is used by the 250 plus Senckenberg scientists. In addition, Senckenberg houses Germany’s largest natural history collections with more than 38 million objects – an invaluable basis for biodiversity research in all its facets.

At the DNA laboratory at the Senckenberg Research Institute in Frankfurt .

“World of biodiversity” – the Senckenberg claim thus describes our research programme, which is divided into four large research fields:

Senckenberg scientists are active worldwide: From the jungles of Bolivia to the Mongolian steppe and from the deep sea to the Tibetan Plateau. They co-operate with the most renown research institutions in many countries.

Sampling the North Sea floor: on board the research vessel "Senckenberg".

The education of young scientists is a further, most important task for Senckenberg. Currently, about 200 students, PhD students and postdocs are active at the six Senckenberg institutes.

Senckenberg is committed to good scientific practice and has adopted the German Research Foundations's Rules of Good Scientific Practice. You can download these rules here as adapted to Senckenberg.